Tag Archives: Surprise Police Department

The month of May brought exciting things to Surprise…. As your D6 Councilmember and Vice Mayor, I wanted to update you on the latest news and information.

City Council Work Session Highlights

Potential General Obligation Bond Discussion

City staff briefed City Council on three proposed General Obligation Bond questions in the areas of Public Safety, Traffic Congestion Mitigation and Pavement Preservation, at their May 16 Work Session.

The three proposed questions and projects, as presented to Council, were determined based on community needs, comments received from residents during the 2016 bond election outreach process, and input received during and after the Surprise Capital Improvement Funding Exploratory Committee’s April 19 meeting.

Proposed Question #1: Voters in Surprise are asked to consider a $34 million public safety bond proposal to: build a Public Safety Evidence & Readiness Center; renovate an existing city facility into a Police Training Facility; acquire Land for Future Fire Station/Police Substation & Park; build a new Fire Station at Cactus and Litchfield roads; build a new Fire Station along 163rd Avenue, south of Happy Valley Road, to replace the current temporary station; and build a Public Works Operations Facility to centralize operations. The annual cost for a homeowner would be approximately $26 per $100,000 in Limited Property Value (LPV).

Proposed Question #2: Voters in Surprise are asked to consider a $15.5 million street bond proposal to provide funds to plan, design, construct and improve Waddell, Greenway and Litchfield roads. The annual cost for a homeowner would be approximately $12 per $100,000 in Limited Property Value (LPV).

Proposed Question #3: Voters in Surprise are asked to consider a $10 million street pavement preservation bond proposal to plan, design, construct, replace and improve deteriorated street pavement citywide. The annual cost for a homeowner would be approximately $8 per $100,000 in Limited Property Value (LPV).

Per City Council consensus at the Work Session, staff will bring back a Call to Election action item at the June 6 Regular Council Meeting. If approved, the three separate bond questions would appear on the ballot in a Special Election on November 7. All registered voters in Surprise will receive a ballot by mail.

City Council Meeting

Reappointment of Presiding Judge Louis F. Dominguez

Surprise Municipal Code provides a reappointment process for incumbent presiding judges whereby the Judicial Selection Advisory Commission makes a recommendation to the City Council after investigation and evaluation. The Committee recommended reappointment of Presiding Judge Louis F. Dominquez to Surprise Municipal Court.

City Council unanimously approved Resolution 2017-46 reappointing Presiding Judge Dominguez for a term of four years.

The Surprise Arts & Cultural Advisory Commission was first tasked by City Council to develop a display plan for the city in 2014. The purpose of the request was to update and enhance the look of City Hall and the surrounding campus with the inclusion of art and artistic elements and create a space that residents and visitors alike will enjoy. The first draft of the plan revealed that a more comprehensive and detailed look was needed with the help of multiple resources and stakeholders. In March 2016, the Commission worked with a consultant to proceed.

After a very thorough process, and after input by the City Council following a City Council Work Session in February 2017, the Commission provided City Council an update regarding the plans priorities and associated costs. Recommended projects include, but are not limited to, a new lobby seating area, art exhibit signage, LED lighting, new paint in highlighted areas, relocation of a few existing art pieces and a mural near in the city cashier area.

WESTMARC Economic Development Summit

WESTMARC Economic Development Summit was held on Thursday, May 11. Guest speakers included Land Advisors CEO and Founder Greg Vogel, EMSI Economic Development Consultant Matthew Miller, ASU Senior Sustainability Scientist Dr. Shade Shutters, and Chancellor of Maricopa Community College District Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick. Conversation and panel discussion surrounded today’s workforce strategy and labor trends. Discussion also included the need for more accurate educational and labor data to provide to interested businesses. Currently, standard labor market information does not appropriately capture this information because the data is reported to where people are employed versus where they reside.

Current Curfew Ordinance Reminder

With students out of school for summer break, the Surprise Police Department reminds residents about our curfew ordinance for those under the age of 18. According to the city ordinance, it is unlawful for any minor to remain upon, go or be upon any public street, alley or other public place of the city between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and between 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday unless accompanied by a legal guardian.

Often times crimes occurring between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. are either committed by juveniles or against juvenile victims. To ensure the safety of minors, starting Friday, May 26, the Surprise Police will be heavily enforcing the curfew ordinance. Violation of this ordinance is a class 1 misdemeanor. Parents may also be cited for their children being out after curfew if they allowed the juvenile to violate the ordinance.

We Want Your Input on Our Libraries

How can we improve or transform the libraries in Surprise? We are asking you to share your thoughts through our online survey. Resident input is key to the process.

The city currently has two libraries, Northwest Regional Library and Hollyhock Library. The city hired Orcutt Winslow, an architecture and planning firm, to conduct a library feasibility study that will help guide future library operations, library renovation projects and potential new libraries.

Residents are encouraged to take an online survey available at www.surpriseaz.gov/librarysurvey. The results of the study will be completed in August and will be presented at a City Council meeting late August or early September. For questions or more information, call the Community and Recreation Services office at 623.222.2000.

City Seeking Applicants for Boards & Commissions

The City of Surprise is currently accepting applications for the following Commissions. All Board/Commission positions are voluntary.

Applications for the above mentioned commission are available for pick-up immediately and can be picked up from the City Clerk’s Office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. The City Clerk’s Office is located at Surprise City Hall, 16000 N. Civic Center Plaza. Applications are also available online at www.surpriseaz.gov/boards.

Please submit applications to the City Clerk’s Office in person or by e-mail to clerk@surpriseaz.gov. For more information, please contact our City Clerk’s office at 623.222.1200.

Free Continuous Chest Compression Only Cpr Classes

The Surprise Fire-Medical Department will be offering free Continuous Chest Compression Only-CPR (CCC-CPR) classes this summer. CCC-CPR consists of continuous aggressive chest compressions to keep the victim’s blood circulating through their brain and heart, which has been proven to increase survival rates. And, because it does not require mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, it reduces the risk of spreading viruses or other kinds of disease between the life-saver and victim.

A morning and afternoon class will be held on each of the following dates:

June 7

July 19

August 1

The morning class will run from 9-11 a.m., and the afternoon class will run from 2-4 p.m.; both will be held in the Public Safety Building Auditorium, located at 14250 W. Statler Plaza. To register for a class, please email crfire@surpriseaz.gov or call 623.222.5400.

NEW Dealership Opens in Prasada Auto Mall

Subaru Superstores of Surprise hosted a grand opening community event on Saturday, May 13. The newest auto dealer in the Prasada Auto Mall is located at 13090 N. Autoshow Avenue. Welcome to Surprise!

City of Surprise administrative offices will be closed Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day.

City of Surprise trash and recycling customers are reminded that collection will be postponed by one day all week. Monday collection will occur on Tuesday; Tuesday collection will occur on Wednesday; Wednesday collection will occur on Thursday; Thursday collection will occur on Friday.

Please note that not all City of Surprise residents are City of Surprise trash and recycling customers and, therefore, may not experience a change in pickup service. Please check with your service provider.

Questions? Please contact City of Surprise Public Works at 623.222.1900.

Do you have any questions for me? Please reach out to me. Together we will make Surprise an even better place to live and work and play!

Following a 40-year career in law enforcement, Surprise Police Chief Michael Frazier has accepted the position of Assistant City Manager, replacing the retiring April Reynolds.

Terry Young, the former Surprise Assistant Police Chief, has been named the new Chief of Police.

“What a great day for Surprise,” says Wingenroth. “Mike Frazier brings 40 years of law enforcement and municipal government experience to City Hall and thanks to his mentor-style leadership our Police Department will now be led by another outstanding chief in Terry Young.”

Assistant City Manager Michael Frazier

Frazier became the Surprise Police Chief in 2011, previously having served as the Police Chief for the City of El Mirage. He began his law enforcement career with the Phoenix Police Department, where he served for 32 years before retiring as Executive Police Chief. (Read Frazier’s full bio)

“It has been an honor to lead such a great group of officers, professional staff and volunteers here in Surprise and I leave knowing our officers and entire community will be well-served by our new Police Chief Terry Young,” says Frazier. “I very much look forward to continuing my love of public service now as an assistant city manager.”

During his tenure as police chief, Frazier enhanced police-community relationships that resulted in an 18% drop in crime from 2012-2014. In his new role, Frazier will oversee the following departments: Police, Fire-Medical, Public Works and Communications.

Surprise Police Chief Terry Young

Young joined the Surprise Police Department in 2010, after retiring from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office as Deputy Chief. During his more than 25-year career, Young oversaw a variety of law enforcement divisions including Patrol Operations, Investigations and Personnel Management. (Read Young’s full bio)

“What a privilege it is to lead the amazing men and women that make up the Surprise Police Department,” says Young. “Their dedication to serving and protecting our residents is unyielding and the tremendous support we receive from our residents will continue to ensure Surprise remains one of the safest communities in the country.”

Young, who now leads a department of 190 sworn officers and professional staff, is also an active member of the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police, International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Police Executive Research Forum.

“During this time of celebration I want to personally thank April Reynolds for her 10 years of service to Surprise” adds Wingenroth. “Her friendship and leadership helped to make this a great organization for employees, which in turn resulted in top-notch service provided to our residents.”

Reynolds joined the city’s Human Resources Department in 2005 where she rose through the ranks to become the Human Resources Director and named an Assistant City Manager in 2014.

The leadership changes are effective beginning Monday, July 13.

Save the date: A ceremony is planned for Thursday, July 9, in the Community Room of City Hall, 16000 N. Civic Center Plaza, at 2 p.m. Speakers include City Manager Bob Wingenroth, Mayor Sharon Wolcott, Assistant City Manager Michael Frazier and Police Chief Terry Young. A reception in the Mayor’s Atrium will follow the speaking event.

Event date: February 22, 2018 Event Time: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PMLocation: 13165 N. Autoshow AvenueSurprise, AZ 85388Description:Join Councilmember Patrick Duffy to discuss the issues that are important to you and learn more about what’s happening across the city.

Event date: February 28, 2018 Event Time: 06:00 PM - 07:00 PMLocation: 16418 N Bullard Avenue Surprise, AZ 85374Description:This is a request for a Conditional Use Permit (case FS17-731) to allow for a new Major Vehicle Repair facility in approximately 2.9 acres generally located north of Bell Road and east of Dysart Road.